I predict that, one hundred years hence, this building will be a beloved landmark.

Posted by: alexa11221 at August 4, 2009 3:50 PM in response to Development Watch: 330 Clifton Fugly, As Expected

wow, this is so funny.

I'm really interested to see the repsonse. I'm so happy to see what this guy did--it's something I wanted to do on the corner of Jefferson and Patchen and my architect did her best to talk me out of it. But the truth was I didn't have the funds or the time. I still think it would have been a good idea.

Yeah, Brooklyn is changing.

Prospective Buyer, you won't be a prisoner of your house in Bed Stuy. I don't even have a car any more, and I'm not stuck here. And my neighbors are perfectly nice.

Posted by: alexa11221 at November 13, 2007 10:01 AM in response to Bed-Stuy: The New Lower East Side?

I posted some of my impressions of the tour on the bed-stuy blog:

http://www.bedstuyblog.com

The brownstoners did a great job of organizing it and the houses were all lovely in unique ways. I found it inspiring and hope to go again next year.

Posted by: alexa11221 at October 21, 2007 7:10 PM in response to Bed Stuy House Tour On Saturday

This is a fun and interesting thread, despite the abuse. It's cool to read some actual analysis for once. A nice contrast with the usual tone of "I haven't the faintest idea what I'm talking about but I'm going to say it anyway."

I've lived in NYC since 1982 and in Brooklyn since 1991. Even in the late 80s, there were parts of Park Slope that were scary, but that changed fast in the 90s. When we moved to Windsor Terrace in 1999, my Ivy League friends were sympathetic and baffled, my mom friends were envious (you have so much space! And it's so cheap!) and the locals pitied us because we were paying so much to live in their hood.

Now I live in Bed Stuy. The neighborhood is beautiful, but yeah, the economic differences around here make me uneasy. But I do see that the existing middle class--those people who grew up here, who still live in the same houses, who work 2 or 3 jobs, who are striving to improve their lives and the lives of their children--are key to maintaining the stability of the neighborhood. I don't want Bed-Stuy to become the 21st century Park Slope. I just want it to be a safe and pleasant place for everyone to live. And I am heartened to see that there are new sports bars and hair salons on Tompkins Ave that are geared to the people who have lived here for a long time. All new development doesn't have to be super fancy, and I hope that commercial rental prices will remain low enough to support family- and neighborhood-oriented businesses.

Posted by: alexa11221 at September 23, 2007 9:31 AM in response to Open House Picks

And to think I was thisclose to buying a house on the same block for less than half the price! And that only 2.5 years later, I, too, a latecomer to the BK real estate market, could be telling this tale!

Posted by: alexa11221 at September 8, 2007 1:34 PM in response to Open House Picks

yeah, you can schlep to Brooklyn Heights or drive to Fairway but in the end it comes down to a question of convenience and time. Even when I lived in Windsor Terrace (at that time the back of beyond) I could run across the street to buy a yogurt or garlic or skim milk. Here there's a bodega on every corner but I'm limited to Bud, disinfectant, ciggies, and soda. I have a kid, a business, a full-time job and no car. I don't want to have to do all my shopping at Costco. I'm exhausted by having to trek all the way to Perelandra for organic muesli and decent olive oil! And toting wine back from wherever I can find it. I am tired of feeling I have to import all my conveniences. I wanna indulge myself in my hood--Alexa from the BedStuy Blog

Posted by: alexa11221 at August 30, 2007 9:51 AM in response to NY Mag Annoints Bed Stuy as the Next Hipster Destination

I walk by the Willoughby Ave "house" all the time. It's really a very small apt. bldg built out to the lot lines. The apartments are floor throughs and it's near a very pretty block and the Home Depot but the immediate area is kind of bleak.

Posted by: alexa11221 at August 24, 2007 12:24 AM in response to Just Sold in Brooklyn